VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
Provider Information
- Address
- 355 LENNON LANE, SUITE 150
WALNUT CREEK, CA 94598 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- August 17, 2004
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 82 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 28 |
| Physicians | 9 |
| Volunteers | 5 |
236
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
An older Medicare record for this hospice lists short-term inpatient care as “not provided.” That code may be out of date. Medicare requires certified hospices to make inpatient care available for symptom management and caregiver respite. Ask this hospice how it arranges a bed if symptoms become hard to manage at home.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how VITAS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA compares to hospices nationwide.
22.5 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 97th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
191
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day22.5 min
Ranks better than about 97% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends8.2%
Ranks better than about 53% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life97.1%
Ranks better than about 80% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits41.9%
Ranks better than about 64% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care14.6%
Ranks better than about 9% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months28.7%
Ranks better than about 72% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care10.4%
Ranks better than about 33% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice4.9%
Ranks better than about 11% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)91st percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$24,032 · 78th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 66.3% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.7%
- Pain assessment99.2%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.1%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.8%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.8%
- Visits in the last days of life66.3%
- All care steps completed97.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer15%
- Dementia10%
- Heart and circulatory disease9%
- Lung and respiratory disease19%
- Stroke31%
- Other conditions17%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
VITAS Healthcare in Walnut Creek
VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California serves families in Walnut Creek and across Contra Costa County. They provide hospice care to help patients stay comfortable at the end of life. Their office is located at 355 Lennon Lane. This team focuses on managing pain and supporting loved ones during a difficult time. Getting the right care close to home makes a big difference. That is why many people in this part of California look at local options first. Their staff works to meet the unique needs of every family they serve. You can reach them at (925) 930-9373 to learn more about how they can help your specific situation. Choosing a provider is a personal step. It helps to have a team that knows the local community well. They are ready to answer your questions today.
About VITAS Healthcare Corporation of California
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been certified by Medicare since August 17, 2004. Being in business for two decades shows they have deep experience in this field. That is a long time to serve a community. What families should know is that Medicare certification means they must follow strict federal rules for quality and safety. But not all hospice agencies are the same. Some focus more on medical care, while others put extra energy into family support. You should look at their history to see if they fit your needs. The team in Walnut Creek is part of a larger network, which can sometimes mean they have extra resources. Still, the local staff makes the daily impact on your loved one. Always ask how they handle after-hours calls or weekend needs. Getting these details early helps you feel more at peace with your choice.
Quality Insights
Understanding Hospice Care in Walnut Creek
Hospice care in Contra Costa County is about more than just medicine. It is about living the final months with dignity and support. Many families in Walnut Creek choose home hospice. This allows a loved one to stay in a familiar bedroom surrounded by photos and memories. But you can also get care in a nursing home or a hospital if that works better for you. The main goal is to reduce pain and anxiety. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover the full cost of these services. The thing is, you do not need to wait until the very last days to start. Getting help early often leads to better comfort for the patient. It also gives the family more time to build a relationship with the nursing staff. Local providers here are used to the unique pace of life in the Bay Area. Use that to your advantage.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask tough questions. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. That is a big deal if symptoms change suddenly at night. You might also ask about their volunteer program. Volunteers can offer companionship or give caregivers a much-needed break for a few hours. Another good question is how they handle medications. Do they have a plan to get prescriptions delivered to your door? You want to know that you will not be running to the pharmacy constantly. Finally, ask what the process looks like if you change your mind about care. A good provider will never make you feel trapped. They should be transparent and kind. If you feel like they are rushing your answers, look for another group. Your comfort is the priority here.
Preserve Your Family History
The stories and memories of your loved ones are precious. Taking the time to record their experiences now can be a gift for generations to come. We can help you capture these moments easily.
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Helpful Guides for Families
Starting the End-of-Life Conversation: A Family Guide
Starting the end-of-life conversation is hard. Our guide provides scripts, expert tips, and Medicare insights to help you navigate this talk with confidence.
How to Start Hospice Conversations: A Practical Guide
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10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
Evaluating hospice care for a loved one? Use these 10 essential hospice questions to interview providers and ensure your family receives the best possible support.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.